I’m not going to lie, when I first started spending time around interior design and home improvement spaces, I was seriously confused as to why bathroom vanities are so very popular. Bathroom vanities, I said to myself. You mean the sink? The cabinets? My nail polish stained countertop and my drawer full of old hair brushes? Now, of course, I know better. Bathroom vanities are where its at in the decorating world, and with good reason. With so many designs to choose from, a vanity can be just as central to your decor as a good sofa. Nowadays it’s fairly unusual to buy or rent a home that doesn’t come with a bathroom vanity built in, at least in the full baths. Like refrigerators and furnaces, in this country they tend to come standard. Because of this you might not have often thought about them as decor pieces–I certainly never did–but a new vanity is definitely a great way to freshen up your look. Whether it’s a small, single-sink space for a small bathroom or powder room, or a master-bathroom piece with lots of space and double sinks, vanities are a great way to customize your bathroom style. When you’re in the market for a new vanity, you’ll want to explore the options and different brands, but if you are searching for something versatile and top-quality, you really don’t have to look much further than James Martin Furniture. They specialize in creating durable, decorative, high-quality bathroom furniture, and are one of the leading names in the business. They have a variety of different collections, each with their own unique style and influences. The piece above comes from the Providence collection, emulating a plantation style and available in several different colors and finishes. James Martin specializes in meeting some of the exacting standards you need to hold up to the conditions in a bathroom–a lot of use and traffic, warm, humid air, and just a lot of daily wear and tear. Their collections range from the modern, to the baroque, to the fanciful. Right now the hot looks in bathroom vanities are definitely the sleek, elegant look of the Brookfield Collection and the cool contemporary vibe of the Brittany. James Martin also has the added benefit of offering their vanities in a variety of sizes. You can often find the style you’re looking for in the double-sink range or the perfect size for your powder room. They also offer a number of different countertop styles. It might seem odd to focus on a vanity as the focal point of a bathroom; after all when you think ‘bathroom remodel’ you might think the go-to would be a bathtub upgrade. Maybe an elegant freestanding basin or claw-footed tub–but the fact is that a lot of people don’t use their bathtubs nowadays. I for one only ever take showers. So having a fancy bathtub may be nice in theory, but not totally practical for a lot of people when they’re trying to budget for remodels. Whether you’re looking to freshen up for the new year, or you’re just looking for a change, a new bathroom vanity is the go-to way to give interest to a dull or drab bathroom. James Martin Furniture is a great place to start.

Recently, I discussed the various virtues of sea-themed colors; teals, blues, and turquoises. The versatility of those hues in no way ends with beach and cottage style homes, and sofas are certainly not the only way to utilize them. Which brings me to another great style adjacent to those themes: Mediterranean style. Focusing in on natural materials and sweeping lines, intricate patterns and the harmonious marriage of textures and colors, Mediterranean is perfect for livening up a boring or austere space. It kindles the feeling of breezy summer days and the light on the water. It’s also a style very close to my heart, since it’s the decor style of my family home. To be precise, there isn’t exactly a definitively objective style of decor indicated by the title ‘Mediterranean’, at least not in the same way there is for ‘rococo’ or ‘art deco’. It’s a bit of a hand-wavey way to gather together the decorative trends of several different regions. Technically, it could include Middle Eastern, Greek, North African, Italian, and possibly even French decor. But typically when people say “Mediterranean” they are referring to Greek and Middle Eastern styles and architecture–the arabesque, the oval arch, the hypnotic patterns of paisley and damask. One of the key elements of Mediterranean style is doubtlessly the use of dark, weathered wood. As you can see in the photo above, wood is the perfect medium for fine, intricate carvings and patterns, which are another central theme of this style. Mediterranean decor embraces the natural world, drawing it in rather than keeping it out. The weather in that region tends to be mild and the summers tend to be long, so gardens and atriums are common elements to homes, so houseplants can be great addition to your Mediterranean style home. Really, nothing quite says “Mediterranean” like a good colorful pattern or mosaic-style tile. Damasks, arabesques, paisleys, there are literally thousands out there to choose from. They might strike you as a little bit gaudy, and they can be. Mediterranean ornamentation is not the way to go if you are striving for subtle. Much of the furniture from my family home had a lot of decoration, patterns beside patterns, so they strike me as totally normal, but to a lot of people they may be a bit much. But you can definitely strike the right balance with a little bit of thought. Architecture can also play a big role in Mediterranean styles, shallow steps and stucco walls and arched doorways. My grandparents in the Middle East live in a house made of limestone. Of course, most of us don’t have access or inclination to such drastic changes. Smaller additions, such as wrought iron banisters or tiled floors, can look great. Draperies can be used to cover up some of your less on-trend spaces, since their flowing elegance fit in well with a Mediterranean vibe. Curtains are becoming increasingly popular as many people move to more open-plan decor, since they let you make spaces smaller and larger at will. With the oncoming threat of winter, no doubt we’re all looking for a little taste of salt air. With Mediterranean decor, you can bring those blue skies and fair weather home to you, and look good doing it.

If you take a glance through design websites and catalogues this year, you are sure to notice the encroaching threat of the tide. Or the tide’s colors, at least. Light blues, sea greens, and turquoises are all immensely trendy colors this season, which I discovered shortly after beginning my investigation into velvet sofas. Almost all of the popular items I was finding were in some form of blue or green, occasionally delving into a foamy ivory or a steely grey, the way the Atlantic Ocean looks on cold mornings. Although you may not be feeling particularly beachy at this point in the year, this is honestly the best time to bring in a little light and airiness, as we progress into the darker, drearier months. A beach or cottage aesthetic (and I am grouping them together because they rely on a lot of the same design elements) hinge on pastel colors, light, unfinished wood, and patterned fabrics. For a beach theme, think more nautical patterns, stripes and pastels, and think florals for cottages. With the pal that tends to hang over the mood in this season, calm, bright aesthetics may do you more good than you expect. Speaking of impact on mood, colors are one of the most reliable ways to alter the vibe of a room, as they are really the first thing anyone notices, whether consciously or not. There have been actual studies on the subliminal messages we get from different colors. Often they are used in marketing or businesses–for instance, deeper colors like red and orange are said to stimulate appetite so often restaurants will use them. Blue is often closely associated with the mind and serenity, imparting a sense of calm and stillness. We also connect the ocean and the woods with placidity and contemplation, so adopting a style that pulls from that can really chill down your vibe. Blue, turquoise, and teal are all great colors for waking up a room–they immediately draw the eye, but aren’t noisy in the same way that red, pink, and orange can be. Another more practical upside to decorating with blue and turquoise furniture is the fact that they don’t show stains very easily. My dad had a grey-blue couch that we had for years that seemed to magically swallow anything that got spilled on it. Of course, the downside is that you will have a grimy couch and not be aware of it, but a regular cleaning can easily get around that problem. Weathered wood and shabby chic aesthetics are key parts of the beach and cottage styles. Think looks that suggest your furniture has been laid into by the elements–the sea air or the slowly encroaching forces of nature. Of course, there’s a fine line between shabby and junky, but this style is great way to push those boundaries. Guild Master in particular has a lot of great styles of weathered and vintage furniture. Building a room or home around a color rather than a particular style may seem counterintuitive at first, but it actually makes a lot of sense. You don’t have to be rigid in your choice of materials, accents, or time periods, you just have to make sure it balances with the colors. And since blues are very common this season, it’s easy to find the perfect piece, whether it’s to blend in seamlessly or make a statement.

Powder rooms, guest bathrooms, and half baths are among my absolute favorite rooms in the home to decorate. The function they need to serve is relatively simple, which means that once you’ve got the basics down (Sink? Check. Toilet? Check.), you have a ton of room to get creative with your decor. This powder room by Robeson Design is a great example, because it uses a few incredibly simple tricks to create a really lovely, traditional look and feel that doesn’t overwhelm the relatively small space. How It Works: In a heavily-trafficked bathroom, you need a few things that a guest bath doesn’t: plenty of storage, a big mirror, bright lighting, and lots of counter space. With these requirements thrown by the wayside, you can really focus on what looks good. That means smaller, more interestingly designed vanities, designer mirrors, mood lighting, and plenty of room for actual decorations. Practically speaking, that can be just about anything – your imagination is the limit for how creative you can get with your fixtures when style trumps substance – but this powder room opts for a very clever, classic throwback style. The vanity is designed to look like an old fashioned dresser, and the ceramic vessel sink like a washbasin, which immediately gives the small space a very Victorian look and feel. The antique, wall mounted faucet bolsters the look, as do the countertop knick-knacks (vintage glass bottles and fresh flowers are always a nice touch for a traditional bath). The shaped mirror (particularly the beaded, slightly tarnished silver trim reminiscent of nailhead upholstery) adds a little extra decorative flair, while the silvered pendant lights – though not terribly traditional – spotlight the glass bottles and give the vanity a nice, warm glow. Last but not least, all the stylish pieces are offset by the tile accent wall, which is made of marble but designed to look like wallpaper for a subtle but very effective traditional backdrop. Get The Look: First, you need a vanity that feels like a dresser: wide, long legs, and drawer-style cabinet fronts, like this Chardonnay vanity. Then, you want to top it off with a vitreous china vessel sink that looks and feels like a washbasin, like this Zefiro sink (or, for a more distinctly Victorian feel, look for a hand painted sink like this one) and top that with an antique, wall mounted faucet. Just about any shaped, silver-and-glass mirror will help make your powder room pop, but this one is the Cattaneo mirror from Uttermost. For easy installation, look for mosaic tile sheets done in a nice, wallpaper-like pattern like this Chicago tile. The silvered pendant lights are just icing on the cake; for a more traditional look, you could opt for something with more vintage flair or a distressed finish, but personally I like the way these teardrop pendants give the powder room a subtly more transitional feel.

When my little sister showed up to our last family gathering with a velvet jacket, I was a little spun. Here she was, one of the most fashionable people I know, wearing what I have always believed to be the ultimate in fashion faux pas. But she assured me that I was simply behind the times. After a little research I have discovered that, indeed, the rumors are true. Velvet is on runways, in magazines, and on store shelves. And not only that, it’s become increasingly prevalent in home decor. Which brings me to probably the most iconic use for it: the velvet sofa. Good news for those of us who have always kind of liked velvet and just been afraid to admit it. Shop sofas by TOV Furniture: Velvet dates back to Baghdad in the 13th century, although the actual weaving technique may be even older than that. It is a densely woven fabric with a very thick, luxurious pile, produced by weaving threads with two different thicknesses at the same time. Because of the difficulty of production and its soft, satisfying feel, it has long been associated with wealth and royalty. Due to its makeup, it accepts dye really well and is therefore great for deep, vibrant colors. It you’re looking to make a bold statement with a single piece, a colorful velvet sofa is an obvious choice. Check out TOV Furniture‘s selection. Shop velvet sofas by Jennifer Taylor: If you aren’t looking to go so big, there are plenty of more subdued color choices. Jennifer Taylor Home has a great variety of tasteful velvet sofas, many of which can be made to work in a bunch of different style rooms, contemporary or traditional. The simple lines could work for modern decor, while the elegance and sumptuousness fits more vintage settings. With the formalist art and monochromatic colors in the photo above, a more traditional style tufted couch fits right in. Shop velvet sectionals by Jennifer Taylor: Of course, if you’re going with velvet, subtlety may not be one of your chief aims. I am not anywhere near enough well-versed in the fashion world to say why velvet has such a notorious reputation–I suppose it’s like anything luxurious or glitzy; too much of it is considered show-offy and in bad taste. I connect it with the matching Christmas dresses my mother used to make my sister and I wear. But it is very soft and very luxurious, and it catches light so well. And honestly, there’s only so much subtlety you can stomach before you start to get bored. Keep in mind that sofas aren’t the only furniture with which you can embrace the growing velvet trend! I love the matching pieces in this photo, as well as the way they soften the typical austerity of the home office. Do keep in mind, however, that velvet has a reputation for being very difficult to clean. It shouldn’t be cleaned with water, because that can warp the fibers. It is also quick to pick up pet fur, crumbs, dirt, and whatever else gets tracked through homes on a regular basis. So perhaps keep it for your more formal, kid-and-animal-free rooms. All this may come across as me trying to nerve myself up to recommending velvet as a viable material, and honestly it sort of is, but that’s only because in the past I have been a fool who caves to peer pressure! Velvet is honestly a luxurious, excellent choice for upholstery, and let’s be honest, at this point in history we could all use a little feel-good purchases. Buy some velvet. You deserve it. Shop all Sofas and Sectionals:

Furnishing a living room often feels like running down a checklist: sofa, accent chair, coffee table, side table, lamp, TV stand. But if you’re looking for a simple way to get a slightly more interesting look for your space, it might be time to give that list a second glance. All the elements in a living room serve a functional purpose, but that doesn’t mean you can’t mix it up a little when it comes to style. Choosing slightly out-of-the-box pieces will instantly add visual interest and vitality to your space, without sacrificing functionality. Why It Works: This living room by REVENY makes one small but simple change to the standard living room fare that makes all the difference: instead of a conventional wide, low coffee table, it uses two tall, lean, staggered nesting tables. Functionally, there’s no difference at all: it’s about the same amount of surface space, so other than not being able to kick your feet up on the edge quite as comfortably, nothing is lost by making the change. But the tables themselves – by virtue of being just a little bit oddball, a little bit asymmetrical, and right smack dab in the middle of the living room – give the space a fresh and unique feel. Nesting tables also usually come in threes, and this set is no exception: the third table is just used as an end table rather than as part of the “coffee table.” This is another ingenious move, because it helps give the space a very simple visual theme, carrying the industrial iron and reclaimed wood throughout the space (and coordinating it with the factory style bar stool, which in turn bridges the living room and the kitchen). Get The Look: The best part of this simple, stylish upgrade is that it doesn’t require a full remodel or an extensive replacement of your furniture. Sure, the denim couch and matching rug and pillows, gray accent wall, and honey-toned wood floors help add to the urban modern feel of the space, but it’s the nesting tables and bar chair that are the real eye-catchers, and that can easily be swapped out with your existing pieces to liven up your living room.

Recently on the blog we’ve been talking a lot about bathrooms, including how to give your space a more traditional or contemporary look, depending on which way you want to lean. This brings me today’s topic–vessel sinks. A fashionable, fairly lower-cost way to customize to your decor. With numerous choices and styles, you are sure to find something that fits your budget and lifestyle, and helps ratchet your bathroom’s style up another notch. The vessel sink may strike you as a feature you only come across in hotel and restaurant bathrooms, but a glance through any recent trends in home improvement will show that isn’t the case at all. A vessel sink is generally a catch-all term for any sort of sink that rests on top of a counter or vanity, rather than being set into it. The initial inspiration behind them is a vintage throwback to the era before indoor plumbing, when all ablutions would be performed with a basin and a pitcher. So if you are trying to achieve a more traditional motif, a vessel sink would be a great choice. Of course, today you would definitely want a faucet to go with it, which can be mounted on the wall, counter, or even on the sink itself, depending on the style. There are countless different materials to choose from with vessel sinks–ceramic, porcelain, glass, and stone, to name a few. In fact, this has become such a prevalent trend that even if you are going for a very specific theme (like in the photograph above) you can probably find a vessel sink to match it without much trouble. Speaking of great and diverse options for vessel sinks, Legion Furniture has a particularly cool selection. Their sinks are especially designed to be paired with bathroom vanities, which don’t always come with a sink or a space for a sink to be installed. Legion’s selection runs the gamut from the pattern above, to marble-tones, to faux-shattered glass, to watercolor paintings. I like Legion’s choices for the reasonable prices, the diverse types of patterns, and for the very clean, simple shapes. Any of these could fit quite comfortably into a variety of different style bathrooms. Vessel sinks don’t need to be limited to a simple bowl shape, either. There are some that resemble bird baths or troughs, or even cauldrons. I’ve seen some that wouldn’t look out of place in a witch’s house. I especially like what the designer has done in the photo above, having the shape of the sink echoed in the oblong light fixtures and makeup plate. They went for a motif of warm rectangles, and the sink fits in nicely. And honestly these sorts of sinks don’t need to be limited to a bathroom. They could look great in a kitchen or a bar, especially if you tend to do less cooking than the average person, and therefore find yourself washing fewer dishes. As you may have noticed, I think vessel sinks are really cool and trendy, and a great way to inject some personality into your bathroom. Over the course of writing this post, I may have even convinced a family member to have one installed. Hopefully I’ve helped to convince you as well!

Contemporary design is all about simplicity – minimalist lines, streamlined fixtures, and uncluttered spaces – and one of the easiest ways to get the look is to think big. Traditional design is all about fine, intricate details and small, compartmentalized spaces, but a good contemporary decor throws all that out, opting for large, unbroken surfaces and near-invisible lines. Because your eye isn’t getting bogged down in the details, rooms with sleek, seamless features and fixtures feel larger and more open… and it’s a lot easier to pull off than you might think. Why It Works: This bathroom by Quadrant Design Architects looks effortlessly simple, but as with all things that seem easy, there’s a lot of thought and skill behind it that helps bring the look together. The large format tile is the star of the space, making the floor feel expansive (but with enough color variation from one tile to the next to keep it from looking like a solid slab), but contrasting it with tile in the same material but a different size, shape, and grout width is what really makes the look come together, keeping the dark slate from feeling monolithic. The bathroom also beautifully contrasts light and dark, with two adjacent walls and the floor/ceiling giving the room an asymmetrical but balanced look. The bathroom vanity also has minimalist seams and little ornamentation, helping it blend into the white wall, and the frameless shower enclosure is so perfectly transparent that it doesn’t interrupt the visual balance of the space. I also love the way the shape of the bathtub echoes the shape of the skylight (which incidentally adds plenty of natural light to the space by day and beautifully balances out the symmetry of the room by night!). Get The Look: A lot of thought went into building this bathroom, but copying the style is much simpler. Just pair this large format Marbore tile with the same tile in a smaller size, add a modern white Ripley vanity, a white drop-in tub, and a nice shower system tucked behind either a single glass pane or a frameless shower enclosure, depending on how much you want to close off your shower. Contemporary design is simple but not easy. When there isn’t much to distract the eye, every element matters, small details make a huge difference, and without ornamentation or accents, basic fixtures and features have to really pull their weight in terms of style. So if you’re considering a minimalist bathroom style, keep in mind that you might have fewer design choices to make, but each one will have a much bigger impact on your space.

A little while ago I talked about the benefits of steam showers, and a before that I went through some tips and tricks for giving your bathroom decor a more traditional vibe. Continuing the trend of bathroom spruce-ups, I wanted to bring the conversation around to frameless shower enclosures, and why you really, really want one. They are more of a process and commitment than simply hanging a shower curtain, but one that will prove worth it in the end. A Hot New Look A “frameless” shower is exactly what it sounds like–a shower enclosure without any of the metal bordering that sets the glass in more traditional-style showers. Instead they are just held together with a couple sturdy hinges. This immediately gives frameless showers a more contemporary feel than curtains or framed doors, as contemporary decor often builds around simplicity, seamlessness, and the subtle space-age appeal of glass. If you’re looking for a way to immediately bring your bathroom into the 21st century, this is it. Lighten Things Up Bathrooms, in general, don’t have much wall space, what with the necessary placement of a mirror, bath, and door. If there is space for a window, more often than not that window is blocked by the shower. I’ve lived in multiple places where this is the case, and it sort of defeats the purpose of having a source of natural light, since none of it can reach the rest of the room when the shower curtain is closed. With a frameless door, that light gets through easily. It’s like having another window. Invisible Benefits Just like with the light, frameless showers are a great way to create the illusion of more space, in that it turns the shower into a part of the bathroom itself rather than a separate space that is cordoned off. I like the mirror-image effect in the photo above, with the split sinks on either side. They are separated but not isolated. This may also be a good time to mention that another huge benefit of frameless shower doors is that they are much easier to clean. Buildup on metal runners and frames can be a huge pain to get rid of, since there’s so many little nooks and crannies for the gunk to seep down into. A standard glass cleaner is typically good enough for a frameless shower door. Shower Show-Off Alright, I’m aware that most of our showers are not going to look like the shower in the photo above–i.e. like they belong in the residence wing of an imperial palace, but there are certainly some of us who want to show off the inside of our showers. Whether that’s because of great tiling, attractive water features, a cool mosaic on the floor, or some other reason, a frameless shower gives an uninterrupted view of the interior. That way, if you ever decide you want your shower to resemble one from the residence wing of an imperial palace, well, you’ve already got the doors for it. No Need For Natural I have a prominent memory of the bathroom I used when I was growing up. It was small, windowless, and had this heavy dark blue shower curtain that just sucked up all the light in the room. It made it feel more like a prison cell than a bathroom, and my family jokingly dubbed it “the punishment room”. Bathrooms without a source of natural light can easily fall into the punishment room trap, but glass naturally reflects and enhances light, making even a dim room look brighter. Whatever your bathroom situation is, a frameless shower hosts a long list of benefits–easier cleaning, cheerier lighting, a modern, and a freshened up feel. A perfect for those upcoming cold, gloomy months!

The transitional room: an up-and-coming trend and, in my opinion, a boon to the home decor world. It is a style that gets you the best of both worlds, drawing inspiration from both traditional influences and more modern or contemporary styles. When I first discovered this was a significant, respectable trend, I breathed a sigh of relief. In general I struggle with choosing and sticking to any one era or influence when I’m decorating. Architects and other design professionals may have the skill and attention span to go the full nine yards, but for the majority of us, we mix and match. A style meant to balance the old and the new is perfect. Uttermost Furniture is a great go-to choice when you’re looking to furnish a transitional style room. They have so many great choices that run from traditional, to modern, to everywhere in between, drawing inspiration from the past and the future to help class up your present. Shop Accent Tables: Although transitional living rooms may come across as a free-for-all, there are still some rules you will want to follow when choosing furniture and accent pieces. At the very least, some guidelines. It’s worthwhile to have some sort of theme in mind, otherwise ‘freedom’ can change quickly to ‘a bewildering mess’. To achieve the look in the above photo, the designer has stuck mostly to neutral tones–creams and grays and browns. They’ve made use of tarnished metal and weathered wood, but paired it with a Noguchi-style coffee table, reminiscent of midcentury modern decor, and the low, clean lines of a contemporary sofa. Now, this look is an example of what I really like about going transitional. The old and the new blend so well here. The tufted couch is a traditional sofa style, while the coffee table completely enclosed in glass is more contemporary. But what I think really makes this room are the accents. Uttermost has a great collection of unusual decor accents, from figurines, to wall art, to small statuary. These metal ornaments–in particular the light fixtures–manage to be both vintage and futuristic at the same time. The bare bulbs, the different shades of metal, the spherical shapes, all speak to an industrious past, but also a sleek look into the future. The fact that they are light sources makes them even more versatile. Shop Wall Art: If you want to add a little spice to your motif, colored bottles would be a cool and on-trend choice. I’m loving the neutral look Uttermost has going in this gallery, but without a couple splashes of color here and there, that aesthetic can quickly go from elegant to drab. Bottles are great for a transitional room, since they are low-cost, easy to reposition and–depending on the label and shape–can recall different time periods. There are countless tricks you can use to ‘transition’ your decor toward a more transitional aesthetic, and they aren’t limited to the furniture and accents you choose. You can utilize the simplicity of contemporary styles, the symmetry of traditional, the gilt and pomp of vintage trends, the cool tones of modern. Finding harmony and the perfect balance for your own life is what this style is all about. Uttermost makes this easy with their great selection of vintage-inspired pieces and clean, simple lines. Shop Sofas and Sectionals:

The chandelier is a mainstay of classic decor, harkening back to the homes of wealthy nobility in Medieval times, and gaining broader popularity on and into the Romantic period. With remarkable staying power, they have persisted as a decorative form of lighting throughout various sources of power. Candles, gas lights, and electricity have all graced these elegant contraptions. Originally designed to resemble rings or crowns, chandeliers have undergone many trends and changes across the centuries, but have remained a great go-to source for easily and aesthetically shedding light. Chandeliers might strike you as a formal and fusty choice for a modern-style room, but there are so many variations and materials to choose from, you’re sure to find one that fits your decor and lifestyle. Though the example in the photo above mimics a classic design–candle-shaped sconces and the dripping crystals–it is actually made out of wrapped wire. You can also find chandeliers made of metal, wood, even plastic. There’s no need to go the traditional route if you don’t want to. Shop Chandeliers: Then again, there’s nothing wrong with the classics. Rococo and baroque-inspired chandeliers impart an elegant, sophisticated touch to a room, and are a great choice for a formal dining room. Shaded lamps, crystals that catch and bend light, and fixtures shaped to resemble candles or lamps are all common motifs in classic chandeliers. A low-hanging chandelier can bring intimacy to a setting, creating a focal point and a fulcrum to build a room around. Chandeliers are really great sources of illumination–they are typically centralized, well-placed, and give off a lot of light. That said, for large rooms, two chandeliers can definitely be better than one. They don’t even have to be exact replicas of each other; two different models in a similar style could give a great sense of asymmetry to a room, adding some visual interest. Along the same vein, they don’t need to be hung exactly parallel to each other either. You probably imagine chandeliers as having a very specific style to create a very specific atmosphere–I know that I did, initially. I related them to the formal, traditional, rather frilly decor of my grandmother’s house. But with the sheer volume of choices out there, this doesn’t have to be true at all. There is a great selection of more modern and contemporary-inspired fixtures, that work on a sleeker, more-stripped down aesthetic. It’s a great way to lower the formality of a dining room, make a space seem more casual or intimate. Shop Modern Chandeliers: I know I used ‘dining room’ in the title, but that certainly isn’t the only place a chandelier installation would work well. In general, these are stylish and practical choices for lighting–they provide a lot of illumination and don’t take up any space on the floor. That makes them great choices for foyers or bathrooms, where space is generally limited and well-traveled. An otherwise informal room with a gaudy chandelier can be a chic statement, kind of like a dress paired with a pair of sneakers. Since lighting is a necessary and unavoidable addition to any remodel, it’s important to find a style that works for you. A chandelier makes a trendy, versatile statement, with tons of different ways to implement it, whether you’re going for casual simplicity or sophisticated elegance. Shop Fancy Crystal Chandeliers:

]]>http://www.homethangs.com/blog/2016/10/class-up-or-down-your-dining-room-with-these-unique-chandeliers/feed/0Steam Showers: All the Benefits and Convenience of a Spa in Your Homehttp://www.homethangs.com/blog/2016/10/steam-showers-benefits-convenience-spa-home/
http://www.homethangs.com/blog/2016/10/steam-showers-benefits-convenience-spa-home/#commentsThu, 06 Oct 2016 12:39:59 +0000http://www.homethangs.com/blog/?p=14171Aysha N.

The weather is beginning to turn chilly and the allergy and flu seasons are well upon us. It’s a time of year when health maintenance and wellness are on everyone’s mind, so allow me to introduce you to something you may not have considered before: steam showers. Or, the ultimate in relaxation and home spa-treatments. This contraption in the photo below may look more like something designed to beam you up into space, but it is in fact a fully operational, self-contained steam shower unit that you can install in your own home. They vary in style and price range, and some of them look more space age than others. Shop Steam Shower Units: If you’re like me, you might not have even known what a steam shower was until relatively recently when they began to come into vogue; I have not spent much time in spas over the years. It turns out a steam shower is pretty much exactly what is sounds like–you immerse yourself in steam instead of water. Instead of simply being designed to get you clean, this sort of shower comes with many added health benefits. Steam showers have been known to improve circulation, unclog pores, hydrate dry skin, sooth sore muscles, clear sinuses, even facilitate weight loss. It makes you sweat, which releases all sorts of toxins from your body. It’s also a luxurious and relaxing experience, and one that is often included in spa treatments. The benefits of steam have been known for literally millennia, all the way back to the bathhouses of the Roman Empire. How many other interior decorating choices can you claim will improve your health as well as your home? A steam shower may seem like a complicated and bizarre thing to consider installing in your home, but the mechanism that creates the steam is actually fairly simple. Pretty much the same thing as an electric kettle. Water is heated up to the boiling point and the steam is filtered into the water-tight chamber. Depending on the quality and model, the time it takes may vary, although for some it takes as little as five minutes. Most steam shower units also double as traditional showers–if you’re in the mood for a liquid shower rather than a gaseous one–and some even have bath units attached. In the above picture, for instance, the unit also comes equipped with a whirlpool tub. Eagle Bath has a whole line of really great choices. On the more luxurious side, of course, there’s always a more classic, permanent style steam shower. Home spas are not really in the cards for most of us, but if you were considering a shower remodel anyway, outfitting it with a steam unit could be a beneficial future investment. Enclosures for steam showers need to be a little different than your usual shower, though, since you can’t leave them open to the air at the top, or obviously all the steam would escape. Steam also gets a lot hotter than water, so you’ll have to keep that in mind as well. There are all sorts of styles of home steam showers, from the very simple to the dazzlingly intricate, with built-in benches, beds, and lounges. Steam may seem like a unnecessary and outlandish addition to a bathroom remodel, but it really is a tried and true method of rest and relaxation, harnessed throughout the centuries. It’s now easier than ever to enjoy the health benefits of a spa treatment without ever having to venture out into the cold, and that certainly sounds like something worth getting excited over.

You know what’s big recently? Going small. Minimalism can be found in countless trends. In everything from cell phones, to computers, to cars, we’re going smaller, sleeker, and more efficiently powerful. Trends in interior design are no different. Contemporary styles are about form rather than ornamentation, and the beauty inherent in simplicity. This is great news for those of us who have less space to work with, but not so great for dealing with the inherent clutter that inevitably builds up in our lives. Chances are, even if most of the work you do is at the office or online, you still have a good deal of detritus that you need to find storage space for. I don’t think some clutter is necessarily a bad thing; to me it makes a space look more like a home and less like a museum, but too much can definitely eat away at your peace of mind, not to mention your interior design. And if you don’t have much space, finding places to keep all your things can be stressful and anxiety-producing. Here are a few tricks for finding storage spaces that add to your decor, rather than detract. Drawers and cabinets are a huge boon to storage space, but it can be tricky to find spots for them in a limited space, seeing as you have to make sure that you still have plenty of room to maneuver when they are open, and that they are out of reach of any small children or potentially inquisitive pets. I really like what the decorator in the above photo has done, both with utilizing the space under the steps that would otherwise go unused, and the way they have continued the theme of light colors and symmetrical shapes of the rest of the apartment. It reminds me of a tetris puzzle. Another great way to go two-for-one on decor and storage space is with pieces that double as both. Shelves, stands, baskets, and cupboards can all come in varieties that can fit in with whatever theme you have going, like the wire magazine holder in the photo above. Pomeroy in particular has some great and creative choices for keeping things together and off the ground. Storage places can often be turned into decorations themselves. I really like the artful way the designer and photographer have arranged the products on this sliding shelf. Obviously, your stuff isn’t going to stay like this from day to day, but it can make finding storage solutions more entertaining if you focus on what you can do to make it look cool, rather than just an annoying chore. I much prefer aesthetic organization to just straight-up clearing up. Finally, my very favorite kind of storage: shelves. There is just something very zen about putting things on a shelf. If you have limited floor space, wall-mounted shelves are a great way to keep clutter off your surfaces. Shelves come in all sorts of varieties, from starkly utilitarian like in the photo above, to the funky and fanciful. Clearing up your workspace can enhance productivity and improve your thinking, in addition to just looking better. Nowadays the struggle to keep from amassing clutter is constant, and can really wear on your peace of mind. No solution is perfect or a surefire way to clean up your space, but with a little creativity and careful arrangement, you can find a place for everything, and keep everything in its place.

When you hear the word traditional, it’s possible your mind jumps to other thrilling adjectives such as average, modest, maybe even boring. However, “traditional” in interior decorating is in the same category as “contemporary” and “modern”, in that it has a meaning beyond its common use. It stands for a specific set of design trends and styles. In this instance, it refers to styles taking their elements from pre-twentieth century movements, focusing on elegance, symmetry, and comfort. Baroque, Victorian, and various classical styles can all fall into this category. Why Traditional? So why would you be interested in a style that your grandma might have decorated her bathroom with? There’s a reason why these styles have persisted throughout the centuries–they’re classics. They are generally softer and homier than their hipper contemporary cousins. A great choice for a master bathroom, since with the greater square footage, you can embrace traditional style’s sense of symmetry and repeating motif. The traditional style is generally more focused on comfort than other, more modern styles. Here are just a couple of tips for getting the traditional look. Balancing Color and Texture With so many different eras and elements to choose from, it’s easy to pick the ones that best suit your particular aesthetic. That said, the traditional style can be a tricky one to implement in a bathroom, for a very simple reason–lighter colors are typically associated with more contemporary styles, and bathrooms are, in general, pretty light. White or off-white. As usual, it is the attention to the details that make a difference, and a great detail to focus on is the choice of countertop and wall tiles. Take the picture above–the marble-topped vanity and brick patterned backsplash keep the space feeling rustic and old-fashioned, even if everything is in white and grey. Shop Mosaic Decorative tile: Another classic touch in the traditional style is light fixtures. Soft, diffused light is best for a bathroom–seeing as you don’t want to be washed out or turned into a zombie when you happen to catch a glance of yourself in the mirror–but track lighting and under-lit fixtures tend to have a more modern feel to them. Chandeliers are often a popular addition to traditional-style living rooms and bedrooms, and that is definitely an option here. If you have a lot of space or a high ceiling a chandelier would be a creative addition. But if that’s a little too rich for your blood, sconces or wall-mounted lights are also a good choice. In the above photo the delicate little shades give the impression of a table lamp or lantern. Shop Wall Sconces: Thinking Vintage The above photo’s designer has gone with a slightly more historical feel, using a number of key elements to bring together the aesthetic. Wood, especially unfinished or carved wood, is a common material in traditional-style design. The vessel sink and vintage faucet, the carved mirror, and bronze accents all give this bathroom a simple yet inspired beauty. Textures, embroidery, and ornamentation in general tend to evoke a more traditional vibe. Like all forms of interior decorating (or any creative pursuit at all), getting a certain ‘look’ isn’t an exact science. With the right balance, multiple elements can be drawn together to form your style. Adapt some basic guidelines, but don’t let them limit your creativity. In the end, traditional decor is all about creating a warm, homey space you can feel comfortable in. Shop James Martin Bathroom Vanities:

]]>http://www.homethangs.com/blog/2016/09/get-the-look-decorating-for-a-traditional-style-bathroom/feed/0Stylish Spirits: Tips for Making a Home Bar Work in Your Spacehttp://www.homethangs.com/blog/2016/09/stylish-spirits-tips-for-making-a-home-bar-work-in-your-space/
http://www.homethangs.com/blog/2016/09/stylish-spirits-tips-for-making-a-home-bar-work-in-your-space/#commentsFri, 09 Sep 2016 12:41:37 +0000http://www.homethangs.com/blog/?p=14147Aysha N.

Bars aren’t typically something most of us would associate with our houses. Bars are for dates or relaxing after work, possibly meeting up with old friends. Also, bars are about brushing shoulders with strangers and buying overpriced drinks. Anyone with a bar in their house must be wealthy, or willing to indulge in irresponsible extravagances, right? Initially, the idea of a “home bar” is an oxymoron. But really, the meaning of bar is simply ‘counter’–and hence comes the title of someone who works behind a counter: a barista. A home bar is really just a counter or some other space where you can store liquor and make a drink. It’s really all about creativity and presentation–you don’t need a lot of space or expensive equipment to have a space for entertaining and relaxation, without the fuss of going out. One option for a home bar is making use of a counter that already exists in your kitchen. This would be the ideal setting if you are looking to design a wet bar (a bar with running water) and would therefore need a sink or piping. If you find yourself entertaining often or just, say, mixing drinks more often than you cook (no judgment) this might be worth dedicating a section of your kitchen to. Shop Bar Stands and Bar Carts: If you’re like me, chances are good you don’t have a spare counter or sink lying around, but there’s no need to let that stop you. In the end what you’re looking for is somewhere to store bottles, glasses, bar tools, etc. You want to add to your home’s aesthetic rather than clutter it up. In the above photo, the decorator has made use of a recessed area that might have originally been a closet or a pantry. Shop Bar Chairs: And on the subject of finding places you wouldn’t expect to build your home bar, think of it like a place to put books. Some homes have bookshelves built into the walls of the living room, but most of us need to buy or build shelves for our storage. In fact, in the past I’ve done the opposite–repurposed a liquor cabinet as a shelf for records. Don’t limit yourself to furniture expressly designed for a purpose; home design is all about using materials in creative ways. Shop Wine Racks: If you have more space and more time to dedicate to a do-it-yourself project, you could get creative like the decorator in the above photo, who used up-cycled materials to build their own home bar. A basement or unused spare room could be easily transformed into your own mini cafe–there are even bar stools and tables you can buy to use at home. It makes for a unique place to entertain guests and store liquor. Outdoor home bars are something to consider–especially since it seems like summer is going to persist well into September this year. I know most of us don’t have a lush vista of sea and sand that so many ‘home bar’ photos include, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take things outside. There are many free-standing outdoor bars available, many of which can be easily moved around and stand up against the elements. The above photo has used the creative idea of transforming a deck and bay window. Whether you want a separate space for entertaining or just a handy place to store and mix liquor, a home bar is a fun and trendy addition. Transform a counter and a cabinet, or go all the way with a full cafe setting of stools and tables.

The word ‘contemporary’ refers to the here and now, the current era, or to things existing alongside each other. In interior design, however, it refers to a specific set of decor trends and ideals, focusing on space, clean lines, and neutral colors. Not to be confused with ‘modern’ decor, which typically refers to styles from the mid twentieth century focused on themes of industrialization (like art deco and midcentury modern) contemporary design announces an about-face from more traditional types of design. If you want a space free from clutter and you believe that “less-is-more”, contemporary could be the look for you. I couldn’t say precisely why contemporary design has evolved to put an emphasis on negative space and open-plan rooms. Perhaps as our lives become more complicated, we take comfort in simplicity. As our world gets more crowded, we naturally want to search for a way to consolidate our space. Certainly as technology progresses more and more of our work and possessions exist in cyberspace, and thus we require less storage space and less surface area. Whatever the answer, one of the mainstays of the contemporary design is learning to balance your space. Less is almost always more. Shop Paintings by Imax: Unlike the ornamentation of more traditional styles and the geometric shapes of modern decor, contemporary is all about the lines. Furniture is typically clean, low, and very unadorned. Patterns are rare in contemporary design, and when they do appear they are typically very simple. In the picture above, the texture of the exposed brick breaks up the design and keeps it from getting monotonous. Materials in this decor are typically modern and industrial–glass, steel, leather–and colors tend to be neutrals–blacks, grays, whites. Shop Sofas and Loveseat: Of course, as with all forms of design, rules are really only there to be broken when necessary. They are more like guidelines than anything else. Wood is one of the most traditional materials there is, but sanded smooth in neutral tones, it fits right into contemporary rooms. The molded wooden chair hails from midcentury modern decor, but it matches the aesthetic. Embracing a decor theme is more about creativity than rigid adherence to standards, especially in your own home where you make all the rules. Shop Chairs: White is the base color for contemporary decor, most definitely. Perhaps it’s the simplicity, or the fact that white is the key to making a small space look larger or for making a dark space brighter. Whatever the case, too much white can quickly become overwhelming, leaving a room looking sterile or unwelcoming. In fact, if you aren’t careful, contemporary decor can go from sophisticated to downright ascetic. That’s why it’s important to break up the landscape with little hints of warmth. For instance, in the picture above, throw pillows and houseplants are used to draw the eye. A couple discreet uses of color are often all you need to keep the neutrals from becoming too monotonous. Shop Throw Pillows: Increasingly, more and more spaces are embracing the contemporary style, going with the less-is-more attitude. With the ever-increasing prices of real estate, many of us are looking to minimize the space we inhabit, and this design trend is perfect for preventing a small space from becoming too cluttered and unlivable. Whether this holds true for you, or you are just looking to simplify your life, the contemporary style combines harmony, unity, and balance. Shop Area Rugs:

]]>http://www.homethangs.com/blog/2016/09/clinching-contemporary-open-space-lines-movement-color/feed/0A Litte Cover-Up: How to Use Rugs to Smarten Up Any Roomhttp://www.homethangs.com/blog/2016/08/a-litte-cover-up-how-to-use-rugs-to-smarten-up-any-room/
http://www.homethangs.com/blog/2016/08/a-litte-cover-up-how-to-use-rugs-to-smarten-up-any-room/#commentsThu, 25 Aug 2016 14:19:40 +0000http://www.homethangs.com/blog/?p=14121Aysha N.

A few years ago I brought some friends over to the house I grew up in. “Oh, wow!” one of them said as soon as we walked in the door. “I love these gorgeous hardwood floors!” My immediate response was, “Huh? Wow, we really do have hardwood floors!” Because, honestly, I had never noticed them before. So much of our house was covered in huge area rugs, with more unused ones rolled up and propped in the corner. It never occurred to me that our floor was anything more than repeating, colorful patterns, worn through in places from years of excited feet. As nostalgic an anecdote as this is, I think it’s a good indicator that there’s a balance to be struck when buying and placing a rug. It pulls a room together, but can also quickly overwhelm. Like so much in home decorating, choosing a carpet is all about balance. Shop Area rugs: When you think ‘rug’, your mind may jump immediately to the Persian-style carpet, beautiful, intricate creations that are more art than anything else, but that doesn’t necessarily have to be true. Carpets in neutral or muted colors can be great bases for living rooms or bedrooms and, like the rugs in my dad’s house, slide right under the radar. Simple, flat-weave rugs can be used to soften a hard floor or protect cold feet in winter, as well as unify a specific part of a large room. Note how the rug in the above photo has created an ‘island’. Most of the time when you go about choosing a rug, though, you are obviously thinking about aesthetic. Patterned rugs, like the one in the photo above, can add a sense of creativity and harmony to a room, as well as inject some color and movement into an otherwise static set-up. Make sure to measure your space before you make your selection–you don’t want a rug that takes up too much of the room, and at the same time you don’t want it so small it gets totally covered up by your furniture. Shop Area rugs: Another important angle to consider is the material of your rug. Flat-weave rugs are best for high-traffic areas, where there is a greater risk of spills or tracked dirt. Wool, cotton weave, and synthetic fibers are typically the most affordable and safest bets, although keep in mind that wool has a distinctive odor when it gets wet. High-pile rugs are softer and more luxurious, and are often best utilized in a bedroom or somewhere less extensively traveled. There are also rugs woven from silk and other luxury fibers, and those are definitely the sort you want to keep out of reach of children and pets. Shop Area rugs: Many rugs are an investment–they are pricey and cumbersome, and therefore you want to think carefully before you purchase. On the other end, there are lots of smaller, low-cost rugs available that can be mixed, matched, and thrown around with abandon. Colors can compliment decor or, like in the picture above, be a fun, whimsical statement that pulls in the eye. With low cost synthetic fibers, it’s easy to find inexpensive choices for the more dirt-happy parts of your home–bathrooms, kitchens, and front halls. Shop Area rugs: Whether you go for a simple flat weave or a luxurious high-pile rug, keep in mind that it will need to be cleaned. A lot of rugs don’t actually get the attention they need; dirt and other particles get ground into them, and sometimes not even vacuuming can do the trick. Flat weave rugs can be cleaned with a rug-cleaning machine (which are available to rent) or in a pinch just rug shampoo and a sponge. Pricier, higher-pile rugs or antique rugs, however, may need to be professionally cleaned. Carpets are a great choice when you want a new look but don’t want to paint walls or replace furniture. The right rug can change the whole tone of a room–dress it up, dress it down, or just freshen things up. Shop Area rugs:

Midcentury modern interiors are generally characterized by big, open windows and a whole lot of wood. The goal of the style – at least when it comes to the architecture – is to create more organic indoor spaces that integrate natural materials (and even the outdoor landscape) into the home. Over the years, this timeless look has gained a more contemporary twist, with the same wide-open floor plans, but a more streamlined, minimalist feel and a subtly more industrial aesthetic. This style is often dubbed “organic modern,” and this living room by thirdstone inc. is a great example of how to pull off the look. Get the Look: The simplest way to get a mid-century modern style that leans a little more contemporary is to opt for midcentury style furniture that has metal accents rather than wood ones, and is upholstered with leather rather than a textile fabric, like this Fortress Sofa, and matching Pavillion Accent Chairs and Ottomans. A chrome Arc Lamp will add a nice, space-age feel to the room, while a Ventless Fireplace puts a modern twist on a traditional, cozy log fire for that subtle organic touch. Architecturally, midcentury modern and modern organic styles are very similar, with a focus on barrier-free spaces with large picture windows, but rather than visible planks or noticeable wood grain on the floor or wall panels, you want smoother, sleeker wood surfaces – unbroken sheets that feel a little more polished and less rustic. Similarly, instead of wood floors, you want something a little more industrial, like poured concrete or something like this glossy gray laminate flooring. While midcentury modern style homes hearken back to an American Craftsman style that’s very homey and just slightly rugged, a modern organic home should have lots of natural elements, but all in a more refined, processed form. To keep the inviting, natural feel, you want to make sure the space gets lots and lots of natural light (and that the colors you use are light enough to help catch it), and maybe add in a few live plants, especially if those big picture windows have an urban rather than a rural view. The exact balance you want to strike between natural and industrial, or between midcentury and contemporary, is of course up to you. Lighter wood tones and more organic textiles will create an airier, more natural feel, while darker woods, high gloss surfaces, metal, and leather will play up the sleek, contemporary aspect of the style. But the biggest distinction between the two styles is that organic modern spaces are simple and uncluttered, without a lot of excess decoration or many accents. Midcentury designs tend toward accumulating knick-knacks, art pieces, and decorative lighting, but a modern organic style lets the seamless wood surfaces speak for themselves and act as the stars of the space. Shop Sofas and Sectionals:

First appearing in its current form during the mid-nineteenth century, the coffee table is nowadays nearly as indispensable to a sitting room as a sofa. Whether or not you actually plan to use yours to hold coffee isn’t important–they are trendy, all-purpose surfaces to build a room around. My first apartment had quite a large living room, but I had nothing to put in it but an overstuffed chair and a slightly dented lamp. Still, I needed some sort of surface, so an overturned cardboard box became my coffee table. It sagged on one end from the weight of my textbooks. Hopefully you are at a better stage of life than I was back then, and can therefore upgrade to a sturdier model. There are countless designs to choose from, whether you are going heavy and baroque or sleek and modern, large or small, wide or narrow. Glass-topped or two-tiered, sturdy or spindly. Shop Uttermost Coffee Tables: Although the choices are basically endless, when choosing a coffee table, it’s important to think about what you will actually be using the surface for. Just drinks? Maybe drinks and a couple of books? A whole pile of books? These make great surfaces to set knick-knacks or photo frames or even small plants. There is even a whole line of books nicknamed “coffee table” books, big tomes of art or anatomy, or anything else guests might be interested in. Shop Zuo Coffee Tables: Another thing to keep in mind is size and spacing. In general, you are going to want your coffee table to be about the same height as the rest of your furniture, especially if you plan to use it to hold food and drinks. You don’t want your guests having to reach too far. If you have low furniture, consider a lower table. On the other hand, if the room you are working with is small or cramped, you might want to consider a taller, cafe-style table. It takes up less space and would be a trendy accent to an otherwise standard set-up. Shop Fine Mod Imports Coffee Tables: I don’t know about you, but my living room has always been more of a multipurpose room than anything else. It goes from study room, to tv room, to entertaining room, to installing-overflow-relatives-on-the-couch room. If you’re not really sure what kind of set-up you are going to need, consider a sectional coffee table, or several small tables. You can push them together when you need a large surface, or split them up when you need to make the room more easily navigable. A coffee table can really be anything you need it to be, including not even a table at all. The above photo is an increasingly popular trend–substituting a large ottoman with some sort of stable surface set on top, a tray or a wood or marble panel. While probably not as stable as a table or as easy to clean in the event of spills, it’s creative and unique and could be repurposed into another seat or footrest if the need arises. Coffee tables are the basic of the basic, honestly, you wouldn’t know to look at them. There are countless ways to incorporate them into your decor usefully and creatively. Whether you use them to hold stacks of mail, cups of coffee, or just to make a statement, you can find one that fits your style. Shop All Coffee Tables:

Do you look forward to showers? I know I do. A hot shower (or a cold one, in weather like this) is a luxury I try not to take for granted. In our busy lives, though, carving out a moment to make the most of small pleasures can be difficult. That’s why it is definitely worth the effort to make sure your shower is a part of your home you enjoy spending time in. Here are a few ideas to make it sleek, trendy, and convenient. A Clear Enclosure Baths, bathrooms, and showers may be the parts of your home that get the most frequent and vigorous use, even if you live alone. Showers especially are susceptible to water stains, limescale buildup, and rust. Anything that makes a shower a little bit easier to clean is, in my opinion, worth it. An all-glass shower enclosure can be easily wiped down, and won’t have a tendency to warp and mold like a shower curtain. Glass showers are trendy and contemporary and bright, and can help make your bathroom look larger than it actually is. Halfway There This is a set-up I have only ever seen a few times in person, but I like it so much. The sleek, cut-out effect of the frameless shower door is a contemporary and unique way to spruce up a combination bath and shower. A frameless shower door doesn’t offer much in the way of barriers, but in the privacy of your own home and behind a locked door, that ceases to be much of an issue. Just make sure you position things so the water ends up in the bath and not on the floor! A Two-Faucet System Two is often better than one, and this wisdom can also apply to shower heads. Detachable shower heads are common and fairly inexpensive nowadays, and can help save you from a whole lot of painful contorting while you bathe. The one in the picture above comes separate, one head on each wall, but many come built in together. If your shower is going to be used by anyone considerably taller than average, it may be worth looking into. From On-High Another shower enhancement with science fiction aesthetic, although I suppose there is nothing particularly fanciful about water coming out of the ceiling. It’s just cool and unique, and could be a practical enhancement as well, since water coming straight down means less hits the walls, which in turn means less hard water buildup. If the location of your pipes or position of your shower makes this accent impossible, there are shower heads that simulate it, hanging from the ceiling rather than the wall. Rethinking the Curtain In the end you may in fact to go the shower curtain route. Practical, considering they are affordable and there are literally thousands to choose from, in every pattern and color imaginable. With a little creativity, you can jazz up your shower curtain aesthetic. I really like what has been done in the picture above–the curtain gathered on either side, rather than just shucked back and forth like your average curtain. When remodeling a shower, the first step is deciding what style best suits your needs and going from there. Multiple elements factor in to the decision–the size of your shower, the style, the positions of the pipes in your bathroom. Whatever the situation, you are sure to find something that fits your lifestyle, and upgrades your shower experience.

With most of your decorating endeavors, chances are you will begin building your style around a large piece of furniture–a couch, a table, a bed, etc. It all depends on what the room is meant for. If you’re anything like me, smaller details can slip your mind. But the pieces in between are really no less important; it’s the little things that can pull a room together. Accents, big and small, simple and gaudy, are what take your decor to the next level. Uttermost, begun as a small family-owned furniture company nearly forty years ago, has spread internationally and has a wide and varied catalogue. From vintage reproductions to intricate pieces with modern flair, Uttermost’s accents can help you fill in the gaps. Think of accents as accessories–they up the ante on your decor, jazz it up, top it off. Just like the right hat or necklace can round out an outfit, accents can make all the difference. They aren’t meant to be centerpieces, so don’t feel obligated to let their form limit their function. For instance, you might not expect to get a lot of writing done at the antique-style writing desk pictured above, but it would make a great end table or compliment to a rustic-style living room. Uttermost’s pieces are not meant to copy any one design trend or artistic movement; instead they draw from a number of different sources, combining styles into an eclectic harmony that draws on the beauty and craftsmanship of the past, as well as the innovations of the modern day. Scrolled legs, rococo swirls, the bright upholstery of a baroque parlor, all of these can be found alongside a touch of slick contemporary chic. One thing is for sure–the rustic chic of weathered wood may be made to look old, but it definitely isn’t getting old any time soon. Pre-distressed accents bring a sense of timelessness to a room. Uttermost has a lot of vintage and weathered pieces to choose from, in everything from tables, to benches, to multipurpose shelves like the one pictured above. Many of their accents are hard-finished and painted, so no two will look alike. Accents, although meant to work in support of your decor, don’t necessarily have to be subtle or unobtrusive. Sometimes going big, bold, and unexpected can be the best way to bring out a room’s potential. This sunburst mirror is a great example of a more ostentatious accent, but Uttermost has a whole collection of ornate and unique mirrors, as well as other sorts of embellishments. Floral prints, abstract modern art, and reproductions of classic painting styles, are only a few examples of what you’ll find. If you are looking for something a little less old-world, a littler simpler and cleaner, Uttermost has a number of accents that draw from more contemporary trends such as clean lines, geometric shapes, and modern materials. The coffee table in the picture above combines the best of both worlds–the dark, textured wood of a more vintage piece, along with the modern aesthetic of simple shapes and bare metal legs. In home decorating, the little details can slip through the cracks, but they are where you can be the most creative and have the most fun. A well-placed accent can build on the tone of a room, or shift it completely. If you are looking for the top quality in vintage pieces are unique works of art, you may find that Uttermost is utterly the best choice.

This summer is a sizzler, and if you live anywhere in the continental United States you’ll be aware that spending any serious time outside during daylight hours has basically become unbearable. Bad news for fitness buffs. The heat and humidity can turn any workout from bracing to torturous, even dangerous. And summer isn’t even half over yet! No surprise that this time of year is when people really start to make use of their gym memberships. Increasingly, however, more and more people are beginning to build their workout space right into their homes. There are multiple strategies for adding a home gym, and over time it can be a great investment. Question number one when planning out a home gym–where do I even put something like that? Exercise paraphernalia–treadmills, weight machines, medicine balls–are not exactly what you’d call ‘unobtrusive’. But consider neglected or underutilized spaces in your home. Do you have a finished attic, a loft, an unused garage? A basement? There are lots of spaces that can converted into a workout space, without having to intrude on any of the more lived-in portions of your home. Obviously, your house was not built to be a gym (unless your home life is a lot different from mine) so you probably do not have many huge open spaces to line with mirrors, like the room in the photo above. However, mirrors are the classic way to make a room look bigger than it is. Although this won’t give you anymore actual space for working out, it can make a room more pleasant to spend time in. Honestly, you may decide you don’t even want to bother tucking your gym away. If you get the right vibe going, a workout space could fit easily into a contemporary-style home. In the above photo the decorator has chosen a slightly beachy theme, with plenty of wood and natural light, and all of the gym equipment is a slick, uniform black. The spaces are clearly delineated by the change in flooring, but they still flow together naturally. Even if you do have the space, the idea of a home gym can be pretty daunting. Workout machines are, for the most part, fairly pricey, cumbersome, and unattractive. However, you honestly don’t need to spend a lot of money in order to have a space to exercise. With just some weights, medicine balls, and a yoga mat or two, you can carve out a little section of your home for getting in shape and beating the heat. Then again, if you do decide to go all the way and buy an exercise machine or two, keep in mind that they will pay for themselves fairly quickly. Gym memberships are pricey and often involve paying annual fees or signing yearly contracts, and it can all add up. Also, the convenience of having your gym in your house may be an extra motivator for getting yourself to use it. Especially if you are one of those people (for example: myself) who have a hard time forcing themselves to make use of a gym membership even when they have it. Whether your goal is just a small, comfortable area where you can lift weights, or a fully outfitted home gym, a workout space can be a great investment, especially in weather like this. With a little creativity, you can dream up a trendy, cool place to exercise in the privacy of your home.

Let’s get really basic for a second here. Color is one of the first things most of us consider when picking out, well, anything. We might find the perfect pair of shoes or style of jeans, but if they are in an ugly or unpleasant color, we pass them over. And even if they are a color we like, colors clash, or wash us out, or just aren’t suited to the situation (bright magenta dress for a funeral, sober black for a garden party, etc.) The same goes for decor. Learning how to use color to your advantage can make or break a room. Here are a few tips and tricks for implementing it well. An End of Neutrality There is a reason that we call unconventional or eccentric people “colorful”. Color just can’t help but command your attention. It can draw the eye faster than even the most outrageous pattern or outlandish furniture choice. Keeping this in mind, a little goes a long way. Little isolated pops of color (especially bright ones like red or yellow) can add visual interest to an otherwise neutral-toned room. In the photo above the decorator has chosen a number of colorful accents–a vase, pillows, and flowers–staying on theme while adding some variety. Shop Accent Chairs: Deck the Halls Don’t just limit your color harmony to a living room or bedroom. Halls and foyers are the first section of your home your guests will see, and are perfect for playing around with a little. Color motifs don’t only have to come in the form of accents or knick-knacks. Painting a door or a single wall is a great way to use an unusual or shocking hue without it becoming overwhelming. The turquoise in the above picture would be gaudy if applied with a heavy hand, but on the door and rug it’s perfect. Shop Area Rugs: Upside Down, Topsy Turvy Alternatively, you could turn all that advice on its head and something completely opposite. A room saturated with color, with little sprinkles of white or grey or some other neutral is a bold, fresh idea. Neutral accents could be anything from a lamp, to a cushion, to a bowl of white lilies, and this motif would probably work best in a room with a lot natural light. You wouldn’t want to go overboard; a house with multiple oversaturated rooms could quickly become oppressive. Shop Lamps: A Little Outside for the Inside Looking for something a little more natural, a little more ‘found object’? No better color to add to a room than the most natural color of them all: green. Houseplants are a simple and low-cost choice for breaking up a decor scheme without being ostentatious. In the picture above the style is echoed in the floral patterns of the cushions and drapes, but honestly it’s hard to find a motif that won’t match a plant. Shop Botanicals: Unusually Creative You know those colors that very few people can pull off in fashion–orange, burgundy, lavender, certain tones of off-white? The same goes for interior decorating. There are certain colors that can quickly overwhelm a space when used in too great a concentration, but when applied sparingly can bring out a trendy creativity that you can’t get from more conservative hues. An orange or gold chair might seem like a daring choice, but can work well when paired with more neutral-colored rug or walls. Color theory is something artists spend years studying and perfecting, so don’t worry if it takes a little while to get things together. When it comes down to it, colors are just fun to play around with. Shop Sofa and Loveseat:

Some things just go together, you know? Milk and cookies, peanut butter and chocolate, tea and scones. Also, the harmonious balance of midcentury modern decor: a trendy blend of traditional and contemporary aesthetics. In the lean economic conditions of the last few years, many people are seeing the appeal of the simplicity and practicality of design trends of the past. With just a few well-chosen pieces, you can transport your home back to the slick, fashionable era of the mid 20th century, and create a comfortable, nostalgic living space. Simple Nostalgia The term midcentury modern refers to a design movement of the mid twentieth century, from about 1940 to 1970. It includes architectural and graphic design along with interior. Influenced by the Great Depression and the post-war era of the forties and fifties, midcentury modern is characterized by the need for simplicity and a sensible allocation of resources. Clean, practical lines and geometric shapes are at the forefront. Still, despite the era of hardship that it grew out of, this style also displays optimism and the willingness to cast off the past and look toward the promise of the future. Bright colors are plentiful, as well as many modern materials. Shop Coffee Tables by FineModImports: Wooden Sensibilities Despite its futuristic appearance, midcentury modern decor makes heavy use of one of the worlds most ancient building materials: wood. Charles and Ray Eames–responsible for a number of iconic midcentury modern pieces–designed the molded plywood chair, in hopes of making a chair that would be comfortable even without cushions. Nowadays reproductions of this design can be found everywhere from living rooms, to classrooms, to cafes. In fact, I am sitting in one as I type this. The molded plywood chair is a perfect example of the midcentury style, in that its value is in the simple, streamlined shape rather than any sort of ornamentation. Shop Accent and Lounge Chairs by FineModImports: A Well-Designed Era In addition to the plywood chair, a number of other popular and iconic furniture styles came out of this era. Some of them are incredibly innocuous to the American home, while others are more unusual. The Noguchi coffee table, with its heavy glass top and geometrical shape, the womb-style chair with its deep, comfortable contours, the creative, geometric coconut chair. All of these designs share a sleek modern simplicity, but also add a touch of vintage luxury to any room. A Brighter Outlook For a design style the grew out of a particularly sobering time in history, midcentury modern displays a refreshingly optimistic tone to many of its iconic pieces. The colors are bright and many, the textures varied, and the shapes refreshingly unusual. Midcentury modern strikes a great balance between past and future, the retro flare sanding off the hard edges of more contemporary looks. Shop Accent Chairs: Synthetic Harmony To balance out the traditional notes of the wood, midcentury modern also looks toward the future with its use of modern materials. Acrylic, plexiglass, and fiberglass all came onto the market during this time. The groundbreaking technological advances of atomic power and space travel had everyone thinking toward the future. The modernizing sensibilities are obvious in the decor style. Vintage reproductions and more contemporary pieces built in the spirit of the era are great ways to incorporate this trendy style in your home. Whether it is for nostalgia’s sake or a desire to streamline and simplify, midcentury modern decor is a great choice for anyone looking to pull together the past and the future. Shop Lounge Chairs:

What do you think of when you hear the word ‘dining room?’ An unexplored, shadowy place you only air out for Thanksgiving? The good china you only dust off for company? There is just something about dark wood and stylized, throne-like chairs that can make a dining room awkward to use. Luckily, trends have developed and formal no longer has to mean austere or vintage. Investing in a contemporary dining table is a chic, fresh way to update your style. No One Hit Wonders Tell me seriously: when was the last time you used your dining table? When I was a kid, ours was a big Gothic confection of carved chairs and solid legs. Fun for an eight-year-old to build a fort under, for sure, but a huge pain to move and clean. To the modern mind, certain styles are just irrevocably tied up with formality and special occasions. There’s no real reason that we shouldn’t make a habit of using our dining rooms on the regular– whether it is for Sunday brunch, family dinners, or just a change in scenery. Contemporary styles lighten up the decor, which can lighten up the mood. Shop Dining Tables by Whiteline: Linear Thinking The contemporary influences of art deco, bauhaus and formalism have imbued modern decor with a love of clean lines, sleek surfaces, and unusual shapes. A table with solid, neutral colors fits right into a modern theme. Contemporary tables tend to be narrower and lighter (in terms of weight) than their more vintage counterparts, making them a more practical choice in regards to maneuverability as well. Keeping It Clear Remember what I said about unusual shapes? Once you throw away the idea that a table has to be made of wood and stand on four legs, all bets are off. The contemporary dining room has embraced modern material–metal, plastic, glass. Just check out these strange and surprising table by Zuo Modern. Glass surfaces can be especially great if the table has an interesting shape. Keep in mind, though, that a glass table means you’ll be staring at your knees while you eat, and smudgy fingerprints will be hard to hide! Shop Dining Tables by Rossetto: Nights at the Round Table Not just for King Arthur and his knights. Round tables are a slick and trendy way to save space and set an informal tone in your dining room. Round tables are more compact than their rectangular counterparts, and they can be a great choice if your dining room is small or oddly-shaped. According to myth, King Arthur chose a round table for his knights so no one would be sitting in a higher place of honor than anyone else. This worry is probably not foremost in your mind, but a round table does make conversation easier. Shop Dining Tables by Zuo Modern: Hidden in Plain View Not ready to go full modern and give up the carved chairs and cabriole legs? You don’t have to! Awesome things can happen when you take a style that is usually associated with a certain period or trend, but change an element of it just enough to make it fit your theme. Like in the above photo–the solid, matte-black finish takes a gaudy, baroque dining table and changes it up. Austere becomes funky and unusual. Polart has a habit of updating traditional pieces in some fresh and creative ways. By toning down the formality of your dining room, you can motivate yourself to make the most of it. These are just a couple examples to get you thinking newer, trendier, and less complicated. Shop Dining Tables:

]]>http://www.homethangs.com/blog/2016/07/dust-off-dining-room-contemporary-trends-modern-style/feed/0Bathroom Vanities by James Martin: The Perfect Piece for Any Style and Spacehttp://www.homethangs.com/blog/2016/06/vanities-james-martin-perfect-piece-style-space/
http://www.homethangs.com/blog/2016/06/vanities-james-martin-perfect-piece-style-space/#commentsWed, 29 Jun 2016 13:13:54 +0000http://www.homethangs.com/blog/?p=14042Aysha N.

Consider how involved a remodel can be, decorating a bathroom can be an arduous process. You will be asking questions like shower or bath? Mosaic tile or checkered? Should the curtains match the soap dispenser? What kind of sink? The last one is easy enough to answer: if you want to maximize your space and amp up your aesthetic, go for a bathroom vanity. As one of the leading names in bathroom decor, James Martin has a wide variety of pieces to choose from. Their vanities are some of the most high-quality and popular out there. Consider the Size As in any home improvement undertaking, one of the most important questions to ask yourself before you begin shopping around is this: how much space you will be working with? Bathrooms are typically not huge, but will probably have quite a bit of traffic. Make sure you account for opening doors, trash bins, hampers, etc. You will want to have plenty of space to maneuver when you are cleaning, dressing, or grooming. Luckily, James Martin has a great selection of small, one-sink vanities, so that restrictions of size don’t have to equal restriction of aesthetic. Shop James Martin Bathroom Vanities: Color and Material Keep in mind where your bathroom vanity is going to be living out its days: the bathroom. A damp, warm space without much air circulation. You are going to want your vanity to be made of a material that is not too vulnerable to humidity. James Martin vanities are all made of authentic hardwood, and so they won’t break down like cheaper materials. When it comes to color, it all depends on your decor. Are you going for a breezy beach aesthetic or a warmer, homier feel? Vanities are as diverse as your individual style; they come in varieties from the cool modern, to the heavy gothic. Mirror, Mirror Obviously the most important part of a vanity is the sink, but the mirror comes in at a close second. Some bathrooms come with mirrors built in, but many don’t, so consider this when shopping for vanities. In more elaborate styles, the mirror is a part of the vanity itself, and in some they come separately. Many James Martin vanities have optional mirrors as add-ons that you can specify at time of ordering. Also, many come with an option of countertop–stone, marble, quartz, the list goes on. Keep It Organized As well as adding style and elegance to your bathroom, vanities provide you with an invaluable resource: storage space. Whether your bathroom is big or small, you can never have too many shelves. Many styles of vanities come with cabinets or drawers, and can be great space savers. There is nothing more irritating than not being able to find something when you are in a hurry, and a vanity with storage keeps everything in one place. Two is Better than One Another possibility to consider if you have the space and the budget: a double sink vanity. Many of James Martin’s designs come in both one-faucet and two-faucet designs. This is great if more than one person will regularly be using the bathroom, and a must-have for a group. Just keep in mind that your style options will be dependent on your plumbing; you will need to factor in the location of pipes when deciding on placement and sizing. Bathroom overhauls can be daunting, but with James Martin you can rest assured that you are getting top-quality for your dollar. With countless styles, finishes, and sizes, you are sure to find a vanity that fits your proportions, and your aesthetic.

Cushions have existed for millennia; the ancients were well-equipped when it came to lounging. But it wasn’t until the Renaissance that someone had the groundbreaking idea of outfitting a bench with a permanent cushion. And thus the comfy and fantastic creation the sofa came into being. Couches can now be found as the centerpiece of almost every modern living room, and they are one of the most versatile pieces of furniture you can buy. Lounging, entertaining, studying, installing overflow guests for the night; you can do it all on a sofa. Although a tried and tested addition to every home, when you actually get down to choosing and buying a sofa, the choices can be overwhelming. There are so many colors and styles and sizes to choose from. It’s important to identify the dimensions of the space you will be working with, the color palette you want to draw from, as well as the decor vibe you want to build on. If your aim is a slick, contemporary lounge, you don’t want to go with a tufted or patterned sofa, and a streamlined leather couch would look out of place in a formal living room. Shop Sofas by Jennifer Taylor: If your aim is a more formal, traditional style living room, consider a vintage replica, or a couch that is built along similar lines. Ornate, flowing curves paired with more luxurious materials will bring a distinctly historical feel to your space. The tufted sofa is especially indicative of old-fashioned style. ‘Tufted’ refers to the gathered divots in the material that are held together with a button. They are a staple of the Chesterfield sofa, one of the most well-known sofa styles. Shop Sofas by TOV Furniture: Keeping in line with formal vibe, the chaise lounge is a sofa trend that has been in style for, oh…the last thousand years or so. A pervading and popular reclining couch, it was in use before people even thought to affix cushions to the piece itself. The chaise lounge or “divan”, as it is sometimes called, brings an instant air of vintage luxury and history, and can class up any living room. Of course, there are many funkier, less traditional styles of chaise lounges, if that is what you prefer. Sectional sofas, also sometimes called “modular sofas” are worth considering if you have a lot of space, and a lot of people looking to gather in that space. Sectional sofas come in a range of styles and materials, and sometimes their pieces are even interchangeable, letting you decide how you want to arrange them. Some include a reclining section, or a built-in ottoman. Sectionals are particularly great for encouraging conversation, since you and your guests can have somewhere comfortable to relax where you aren’t all sitting awkwardly in a line. Shop Sofas by Ashcroft Imports: The leather sofa I saved for last, just because it is so iconic and so versatile. At once classic and cutting edge, this kind of couch can be applied to your decor in so many different ways. It can be modern and moody and slick, fitting into a contemporary lounge, or it can be more homey and rustic, and fold right into a ranch-style living room. Leather couches come in all sorts of styles, form tufted to fixed-back (where the cushions are attached to the sofa’s back frame). If you are looking for a long-lasting, durable investment, leather is a good choice. Keep in mind, however, that they require more maintenance than your average sofa, and need to be treated every couple of years. While by no means does having a living room contractually obligate you to put a sofa in it, a good couch is a great investment and one worth putting some thought into. The choices are endless, the styles are many, and you’ll reap the benefits for years to come. Shop Sofas:

Is there anything better than a fashionable, on-trend living room that you can feel good about showing off to your guests? Yes, in fact, there is. A fashionable, on-trend living room where you can lounge in comfort. Going back to the basics, that is what a living room should be all about. Living. Style and look is important, but most of all you want a room that you can feel good about spending time in. Take a look at these five iconic, trendy chairs and upgrade your space from just ‘living room’ to ‘lounge‘. The pika style chair is a sleek, slick contraption that’s form builds on the curves of the human body. Its swooping shape is less formal than a straight-backed chair, and also less hard on the spine. Held up on two strong but slender legs, it allows for slight movement and adjustment. Pika chairs might look fragile but they are actually surprisingly hardy. Like the iconic Barcelona chair, it is cool and contemporary, reminiscent of the comforts of modern living. Shop Lounge Chairs: As much as this might look like a trendy piece of modern installation art, the ball chair is was created by a Finnish designer in 1963. Famous for its unusual shape, it is the perfect retro throwback. The interior is typically cushioned, for maximum lounging mileage.What I like best about the ball chair is that it goes both ways–funky and fun, or sleek and stylish. The model in the picture above–leather and polished aluminum–would fit right into a contemporary lounge, but these chairs are available in a range of colors and materials. So if you are more a hot pink or turquoise type, the ball chair has got your back. Probably one of the most iconic pieces of furniture of all time, the chaise-lounge has existed, to some degree, for millennia. There are pictures of people luxuriating on day-beds all the way back to ancient Egypt, although this particular couch is most commonly associated with the elegance of 19th-century salons and sumptuous boudoirs. Whether you plan on doing a lot of swooning, or just want something swank to lie around on, there are countless styles of chaise lounge, from leather, to velvet, to covered all over in rococo swirls. Another timeless piece of furniture, the armchair is probably the most common type of chair out there. There are so many different kinds–wingback chairs, throne chairs, even rocking chairs. Though if you are really looking for the ideal lounge chair, the overstuffed is really the way to go. The one in the picture above is leather, but they come in basically every size, shape, and color, and no living room built around comfort is really complete without one. I did the majority of my college coursework curled up in one particular overstuffed chair. Alright, this may not be a living room chair per se, but show me the rule that says your lounge can’t spread out into the great outdoors? Especially this time of year. Whether they are by the pool, the lake, or just a patio, outdoor lounge chairs turn a yard into an extension of your home. Some are built for sunbathing, and some are adjustable between flat and upright. Many outdoor chairs are made from weather-resistant materials, so you never have to worry about leaving them outside in the elements. There are so many great ways to upgrade your living room to classy and comfy, and a lot of great manufacturers to choose from. Fine Mod Imports and Bellini Modern Living both have an extensive lounge-friendly section. Shop All Chairs:

The art deco style is a modern classic. Or maybe it would be more accurate to call it ‘classic modern’, since although it remains a relic of the jazz age, speakeasies, and old Hollywood, its influences are thoroughly modern. Emerging from the cultural landscape of postwar Europe and America, art deco takes its themes from innovation–brighter, bolder, and looking toward the future. Incorporated into your decor, this style can add a sense of modern sleekness while still holding on to some of the timelessness of the past. Modern, but not contemporary. The name ‘art deco’ comes from an exhibition that was held in Pairs in 1925–The International Exposition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts–and is characterized by bright colors, bold lines, and geometric patterns. The style is meant to speak of luxury, culture, and innovation, as well as a willingness to embrace technology and the onward march of the progress. If I were to characterize it myself I would probably go with “retro space age.” Dimond Home Furniture has a great selection of art-deco inspired pieces to transport your design to the past, while simultaneously drawing on modern styles. Shop Dimond Home Chairs: Unlike the more organic styles of rococo or art nouveau, art deco is characterized by repeating patterns and industrial lines. Modern materials feature prominently, such as steel, glass, and chrome. Geometric shapes are popular–rectangles, polygons, chevrons, and sunbursts, to name a few. It is the style of the roaring 20’s, and therefore can bring a sense of modern decadence to a space. It calls to mind wealth and industry, but that doesn’t mean you can only make it work in an industrial space. It would look great balanced out with houseplants or a colorful rugs or draperies. Shop Dimond Home Chests and Cabinets: Leaving behind the more natural themes of its influences–the curlicues and shell-like patterns of rococo, and the twining vines and branches of art nouveau–art deco embraces symmetry and draws more from artistic movements like functionalism, which insists that all its art be unadorned and functional in some way. But in no way does this mean that art deco is austere–it simply seeks to conjure images of industry and innovation. The order of civilization, rather than the chaotic motion of the natural world. Shop Dimond Home Candleholders: See what I mean about not being austere? Art deco is all about boldness, blocks of color, and smooth lines. The fan shape is a common motif throughout the style, emerging in everything from art, to chairs, to mirrors. Classic art deco incorporated elements from ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian art, including the repeating motif of the sun. The Chrysler Building, Radio City Music Hall, and the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées are all famous examples of this bold style. Bringing a little flavor of art deco to your home can add a hint of class and timeless luxury, and Dimond Home Furniture has a great selection to choose from. They have many different pieces built along art deco schematics, with thick lines and industrial materials and symmetrical shapes. Their bookshelves in particular are favorites of mine. And if you aren’t ready to embrace the glass and gold, they also have more traditional pieces. Shop Dimond Home Coffee Tables: Whether it’s with a couple vintage-inspired pieces, or a general motif of geometric shapes and modern materials, art deco is just a really bold, fun flavor to add to your home.

Haven’t you heard? Small is big this year, and getting bigger. With the blooming popularity of micro-homes and studio apartments, many people are beginning to think on a smaller scale square-footage wise. Limiting the space you take up is great: it saves you money, consumes less resources, and can generally make you more mindful and organized. And downsizing does not at all have to be a downgrade. There are a bunch of simple and creative ways to make the most of limited space. Here are just a couple ideas for how to make small bedrooms work for you. Double Up When looking to make the most of a small space, the single most important rule to keep in mind is that furniture can serve more than one purpose. A headboard can double as a bookshelf, a bureau as a desk, a day bed as a sofa. Many pieces come built in with both shelves and drawers, intended by the manufacturers to be used for multiple purposes. How you handle storage and set-up really makes a big difference when utilizing space. Shop Shelves: Surface Area While you are considering which objects you can combine into multipurpose pieces, remember the oh-so-important and often underutilized surfaces in your room–the walls. There are lots of things that can be regulated to the walls when you are working with a small space–shelves, clothes hooks, lights. Lights especially, since standing lamps take up floor space and table lamps tend to be bulky and take up elbow room. Pendant lights and ceiling lights are both trendy alternatives for conserving surface area. Shop Wall Sconces: Let the Light In Speaking of light, let that be a factor when choosing what space to try to turn into a comfortable small bedroom/living space. Any room without natural light becomes oppressive fast, and a small room even more so. A source of natural light goes a long way, and you can help this along by decorating with paler colors. White especially gives the illusion of extra space, and so do reflective surfaces. A strategically placed mirror can make a room look twice as big as it actually is. Shop Modern Bedroom Chests: One Wall Only Another instance where the walls are an indispensable asset when trying to go small. This is a great trick that I never would have come up with on my own, but one I really like. When decorating small spaces, reserve color or wallpaper for one wall only. This adds depth to a room and creates a focal point to distract from the size. Wallpapering the entire room would very quickly become overwhelming–just too much noise for such little surface area. If you can swing it so the set up is like the above photo, with the color on a wall adjacent to the window, even better. Shop Beds: Small but Chic Okay, this is not exactly a bedroom, but the above photo is such a good example of making the best use of a small space. The shelves, the hanging lights, the counter set up so the stools can be pushed underneath when they aren’t being used, the large window and light colored bedroom wall and linens. This is just a perfect model for pulling it all together. Simplifying your life is a common modern goal, and downsizing and reorganizing your space is a great way to start. With a little thought and creativity, small rooms can make a big difference!